Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that he supports the move to invite more overseas Filipinos to visit the country.
Tansingco said that inviting more overseas Filipinos to come home and spend their vacations in the country would have potential economic and cultural benefits, fostering stronger ties with the global Filipino community.
BI records show that in 2023, the Philippines recorded a total of 12,681,231 arrivals, with substantial passengers from America and Canada, which are key destinations for Filipino migrants.
Americans totaling 1,186,135 and Canadians with 271,955 contributed to the arrivals, many of which are former Filipinos and their families who spent their holidays in the Philippines.
Tansingco made the statement following the proposal of House of Representatives Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan to lure more overseas Filipinos to visit the Philippines.
Libanan, who serves as the representative of the 4Ps partylist, said that the spending of overseas Filipinos who visit the Philippines can boost up the country’s tourism revenues and job growth to a great extent.
Tansingco reiterated that former Filipinos from non-visa required countries, together with their spouse and children who are traveling with them, get one year visa-free stay as part of their balikbayan privilege.
The BI’s stance complements the Department of Tourism’s goal to attract more international tourists.
“Our focus on supporting tourism aligns with the larger goal of creating vibrant and sustainable connections with our global Filipino community,” said Tansingco.
